This Christmas: Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out

   In the sixties Timothy Leary coined the phrase, "turn on, tune in, drop out." While this had a totally different meaning at the time, it can be applied to our current celebration of the Christmas season.
   Christmas has been hijacked by materialism, Black Friday that starts now on Thanksgiving, and Santa Claus or as I like to call him, Satan Claus.
   The greatest gift of all is not the 38 inch flat screen tv that was on sale for Black Friday. The greatest gift is the little baby in the manger.

   So this Christmas why not, turn on, tune in, and drop out. First, turn on to the true meaning of the season. Turn off the tv, the smart phone, and the computer and spend some time at church, reading the Bible, and in prayer. Slow down. Simplify. Avoid the malls.

   Next, tune in to all those in need this year. Especially remember those who are depressed, lonely, who feel rejected, and are in despair. Remember all those who are out of work, working part time, or underemployed. Remember single mothers, the sick, disabled, and elderly. 22% of children in the US live in poverty. This is the second highest in all of the developed nations. One in 6 families in the US are dealing with hunger. And then of course there are the other nations that live with chronic poverty, disease, war, and violence. Families who have never been in need of help before are seeking help this year.

   And lastly, drop out of all the commercialism. Christmas is not a holiday to glorify the almighty dollar and what it can buy. Consider cutting way back on the gifts and giving a gift to the Christ child who came to be among us. Give him the gift of time. Spend time with the Lord and time with your family. Remember a simpler day, before all the gadgets, cell phones, computers, and tv, with over 100 stations. Take a break from the hustle and bustle, that all the buying entails. Spend time in church and give thanks for the God who loved us so much that he sent us His one and only son to save us. It is His birthday. And we are all his children. Remember the baby in the manger. The greatest gift of all.